Water is necessary for carrying nutrients to your cells, flushing bacteria from your system, preventing dehydration, and replacing fluids lost from sweating, but you may not need to drink as much as you thought.
Stephen R. Daniels. pediatrician. No. You shouldn't give your newborn water or sugar water. And if you're feeding powdered or concentrated formula to your baby, never dilute it with more than the amount of water called for on the label. Your infant will get all the necessary hydration from breast milk or formula.
Introducing Water. Babies younger than 6 months don't need any additional water, Georgia pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu explains in the July 2009 edition of CNN Health. After age 6 months, you can introduce your baby to plain water, but in amounts no larger than 2 to 4 ounces per day, in most cases. After 12 months, give your baby milk with meals but water between meals. Once your baby starts to eat more solid foods, he might develop constipation.